Pageant
Released: October 6th, 2004
Type: single
Duration: 9:57
Pageant is Moi dix Mois' third single, and actually sounds very similar to the music that Mana was writing in his MALICE MIZER days. Unlike the first two singles, there are only three tracks here, and the first isn't even a minute long. All the tracks feature lots of bells and twinkles, and somehow guitar was thrown in there too.
Lineup
- Mana: Lead guitarist, keyboardist, composer, director, producer
- Juka: Vocalist
- Kazuno: Bassist
- Tohru: Drummer
Tracks (3 total)
| # | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Secret Longing [SE] | 0:56 |
| 02 | Pageant | 4:32 |
| 03 | Pageant [Instrumental] | 4:29 |
Thoughts
Okay, Pageant has never been my favorite single. I say it sounds like MALICE MIZER, and I loved MALICE MIZER, but for some reason with Juka's voice it just doesn't work for me. It sounds like Christmas music with him there (and I hate Christmas music like Kefka hates Sephiroth). And it's not like Pageant is horrible, but it's not very much like anything Moi dix Mois previously produced. It's happy and cheery sounding, and even though the lyrics aren't especially blissful, they are the most hopeful I've ever read that Mana's written. Look at this:
"Even should I fall into the darkness that is known as despair, now,
I will hold on to hope that shines in the future, and
Wish for me, that, for all eternity, this place will never fade"
- Translation by Gwendel on -scape-
What? This isn't Moi dix Mois! Where is my wrathful, mourning Mana-sama?! I will say, though, that Pageant's lyrics are absolutely beautiful and are probably some of the best I've ever read. Ever.